GOLF IN NORTH INDIA AND THE MOUNTAINS
Tour in Details
ITINERARY:
Delhi – Srinagar – Gulmarg – Agra
Trip at a Glance:
Delhi If trees and streets could talk, the stories that would pour out of Delhi would keep listeners mesmerized for years. After all, this is one of the world’s oldest cities, inhabited continuously from as far back as 2 BC. It has been the capital of dozens of empires, the royal playground for hundreds of kings, the site of furious battles and devastation, and the centre always of intrigues and power struggles that sought to control the rest of the country.
Srinagar The summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, is a city of lakes and waterways, gardens and picturesque wooden architecture. The old quarters of the city sprawl over both sides of the Jhelum river crossed by seven bridges. At the city’s edge are the idyllic Dal and Nagin lakes linked by a network of backwaters.
Gulmarg or the “Meadow of Flowers” at a height of 9000 ft was developed by the British around a meadow on the northern flank of the PirPanjal mountain range. The central bowl has been laid out as a gold course, one of the highest in the world. Around it are fairytale cottages and pine forests.
AGRA was the seat of the Imperial Mughal court during the 16th and 17th centuries before the capital was shifted to Delhi. The city located on the banks of the Yamuna and along the Grand Trunk Road flourished under the patronage of the Mughal emperors. Globally known as the city of the Taj Mahal, this royal Mughal city has, in addition to the legendary Taj, many other monuments that epitomize the high point of Mughal architecture.
Day 1 : ARRIVAL DELHI
Meals included: none
Welcome to Delhi! On arrival at the Delhi International Airport you will be met by our representative and transferred to your Hotel.
Overnight in Delhi
Day 2 : Explore Delhi
Meals included: breakfast
You can get no better introduction to the country than from its capital Delhi — no better insight into the diversity that is India. Immensely old and gleamingly modern; wide open spaces with bungalows and gardens at one end and narrow streets overflowing with shops and houses and people at the other; with a rich cultural heritage behind it and yet firmly placed in the 21st century when it comes to technology and business.
The British legacy of Lutyen’s Delhi formally divides the city into Old and New Delhi, each beautiful in its own way. While Old Delhi is a maze of narrow serpentine lanes lined with shops, New Delhi with its wide avenues and colonial mansions was built by the British in the 1930s as their imperial capital.
Begin your day with a visit to Old Delhi to the 17th century Jama Masjid or Friday Mosque. This grand mosque with imposing marble domes and twin minarets was built in1656. A magnificent flight of sand stone steps lead to the great arched entrance.
Thereafter take an exhilirating rickshaw ride from Jama Masjid through the narrow lanes of the old city, Chandni Chowk, terminating at the ramparts of the Red Fort. The Bazaars of Old Delhi are legendary with narrow streets lined with shops and goods spilling on to the pavements.
Free for Lunch.
Visit the famous Sikh Temple, Bangla Sahib Gurudwara in the company of your local guide. The highlight would be the visit to the community kitchen where volunteerswork and feed thousands of devotees daily – the food is offered free to one and all.
Overnight in Delhi.
Day 3 : DELHI
Meals included: Breakfast
After breakfast play golf at Delhi Golf Clubwhich has 18-hole 72 par and 7036 yards long course. Rest of the day you will be at leisure.
After lunch drive through New Delhi with a stop at India Gate and Parliament buildings for photo opportunities
The 42 metre high, free standing arch known as India Gate was designed by Edward Lutyen and built in 1931 in memory of the Indian soldiers who died in World War I.
Rest of the day will be at leisure. Overnight in Delhi
Day 4 : DELHI
Meals included: Breakfast
After breakfast play golf at Jaypee Greens in Noida.
Afternoon visits of Qutab Minar and Humayum Tomb Humayun’s Tomb, the 16th Century tomb of the 2nd Mughal Emperor Humayun’s. Tucked away in the heart of Delhi is this treasure trove of history spread over 100 acres of beautiful greens. This was the first garden tomb on the Indian subcontinent and is said to have inspired the design of the Taj Mahal.
Overnight in Delhi
Day 5 : DELHI / SRINAGAR (flight)
Meals included: Breakfast
After breakfast transfer with assistance to Airport to board flight for Srinagar.
On arrival at the airport you will be met by our representative and transferred to Gurkha Houseboat
A houseboat on a placid lake ringed by flowering trees is by far one of the most attractive choices for accommodation, setting the tone and pace for a visit to this ethereal city.
In the afternoon take a Shikara ride (gondola like boat) on the lake with floating gardens and houseboats, lotus flowers and water lilies. Spend an idyllic evening reclining on the cushions in the shade of its awning, cruising the city’s lakes and backwaters.
Overnight in Srinagar
Day 6 : SRINAGAR
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Heritage Walk
We begin our day by visiting a famous Sufi Shrine located in the heart of the beautiful old city. Sufism and Kashmir go hand in hand whether it was Budhism, Hinduism or Islam – the great saints came and lived here, preached the religion of humanity. From this famous Sufi saint’s tomb we also have a panoramic view of the old part of the town.
We can also visit Dara Mahal the famous Mughal Garden on the southern slope of HariParvat, the ruins of which are still there. Continue our journey through the local markets, heritage buildings and day to day life.
Later end up at a famous Grand Mosque called Jamia mosque. Here we will do a detailed tour of the mosque and the nearby market. Next stop is the famous old wooden bridge located on the famous River Jehlum.On both sides of the river are located some old traditional houses that were built by rich and famous of the city then, lived in them before the mode of transportations was shifted to the roads.
Continue through the narrow streets with colorful merchandise and end up at the Shah-Hamadan mosque which is a example of mixed architecture – a bit of Pagoda, a bit of Persian, a bit of local log house and some of Central Asian.
Lunch at local restaurant
Later we will explore famous Mughal Gardens, built by Mughals in Islamic style of architecture. This style was heavily influenced by Persian gardens particularly the Char Bagh structure. It is here the famous couplet “Be there a paradise on earth, it is here, it is here” was actually written in praise of the beauty and nature. On our trail, we will visit small Pari Mahal garden which is famous for great views of the lake and the golf course below and later we will visit Shalimar Garden. This early 17th century garden has some majestic Chinartrees(platanusorientalis) along with some beautiful pavilions.
Return to your houseboat and overnight in Srinagar.
Day 7 : SRINAGAR
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
After breakfast play golf at Royal Spring Golf Club.
Return back to the city, where dinner is hosted (home cooked food) by a local family or option to dine on the Gurkha Houseboat. Overnight in Srinagar.
Day 8 : SRINAGAR / GULMARG (2 hours drive)
Meals included: Breakfast
After a leisurely breakfast drive to Gulmarg and on arrival check into your hotel.
A luxury hotel with spectacular views of Apharwat mountain range and Gulmarg Golf course.
Gulmarg or the “Meadow of Flowers” at a height of 9000 ft was developed by the British around a meadow on the northern flank of the PirPanjal mountain range. The central bowl has been laid out as a gold course, one of the highest in the world. Around it are fairytale cottages and pine forests.
Rest of the day at leisure and overnight in Gulmarg
Option to take a cable car ride toKhilanmarg (1000 ft higher) up in the mountains.
Return to Gulmarg and overnight
Day 9 : GULMARG
Meals included: Breakfast
Play Golf at Gulmarg Golf Club which has 18-hole 72 par and 7505 yards long course. Its st 2730 metres above sea level.
Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight.
Day 10 : GULMARG / SRINAGAR / DELHI (flight) / AGRA (04 hours drive)
Meals included: Breakfast
After breakfast drive to Srinagar to board flight for Delhi.
On arrival Delhi Airport you will be met by our representative and you will drive to Agra and on arrival check into your hotel. Evening visit of bazar.
Overnight in Agra
Day 11 : AGRA
Meals included: Breakfast
This morning visit the Taj at sunrise.
Considered the pinnacle of Mughal art in India, the Taj was built by Emperor Shah Jahan for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. When declaring it a world heritage site, UNESCO described it as “the jewel of Muslim art in India”. There are few words that can describe the magnificence of this monument.
Return to the hotel for Breakfast .
Play golf at Agra golf club near Taj Mahal which has9-hole 72 par and 3000 yards long course.
Return to your hotel. Overnight in Agra
Day 12 : RETURN TO DELHI ( 4h drive)
Meals included: Breakfast
After breakfast drive back to Delhi. On arrival transfer with assistance to International Airport to board your flight back home.
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